Drill plan sparks human chain demo

Protesters form blockade over river to highlight fears over shale gas exploration plans

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NEARLY 500 people formed a human chain over two bridges and the River Gers quayside in Auch to protest against plans to continue exploration for shale gas - gaz de schiste.

They were highlighting fears that new exploration permits would be granted for Beaumont-de-Lomagne (Tarn-et-Garonne) and Mirande (Gers).

A law last year banned the only known method for extracting the gas - hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" - but energy and drilling companies are still pushing for exploration permits to be approved.

Around 60 applications are still before the government.

Protesters say that the vital tourist industry would be destroyed if drilling derricks started appearing all over the department along with hundreds of lorries carrying the millions of litres of water needed.

The Beaumont-de-Lomagne project - the largest in France - covers 10,405sq.km over eight departments: the Lot, Tarn-et-Garonne, Haute-Garonne, Ariège, Hautes- Pyrénées, Gers, Lot-et-Garonne and the Dordogne.

Further reading:
Shale gas: the pros and cons

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